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TRAVERSE CITY – When it came time to draw up training camp lines, coach Jeff Blashill sent Tomas Tatar a message.

As the Detroit Red Wings began preparations for the 2015-16 season Friday at Centre Ice Arena, Tatar was on a line with Darren Helm and newcomer Brad Richards. Helm left early because of a possible concussion, but the message to Tatar stood: Be a headliner.

On Dec. 1, Tatar turns 25, an age when stars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk really established themselves. Tatar has demonstrated he is a rising star, scoring 29 goals among 56 points in 82 games last season, his second full year in the NHL. Now Blashill wants to see more from Tatar and more from Gustav Nyquist (who is on a line with Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader).

"Tats has really established himself as a really, really good player," Blashill said. "I think the next step for Tats is to make sure that he establishes himself as a go-to guy — one of the go-to guys on the team. I think for the last number of years it has been Pav and Z. We need to make sure the next group of guys are ready to jump into those same roles and be go-to guys.

"That is what I talked to Nyquist and Tats about. They have been really good players in the NHL since they have been up here. They have proven they were go-to guys in the American league — not that they haven't been go-to guys at times here, but now let's make sure (they) can run a line by ourselves, (they) can carry a line instead of being a piece of it."

Tatar took a key step forward in April when he powered through the seven-game playoff series against Tampa Bay with three goals among four points. Now the Wings see Tatar as the perfect option to play next to Richards, who was brought in to center the second line. Tatar knows it is a great opportunity to be paired with a champion such as Richards.

"He is experienced guy. He won a Cup last year. He has been great in NHL many seasons," Tatar said. "I'm really happy I get the chance to play with him, and hopefully the chemistry will get going and we will see it from the first game."

Blashill explained his thought process in putting together the line, which features savvy, skill and speed.

"Richards has been a really elite player in this league for a long time, and Tats is a real offensive, give-and-go type player," Blashill said. "Helmer can give a little bit of speed and tenacity, will go to the net, a complement to that line."

Tatar's steady progress since making his NHL debut during the 2013 lockout-shortened season is why one teammate believes Tatar is in for a stellar year.

"He has been taking a step every year," Zetterberg said. "He scored a lot of goals for us last year. He will do the same this year. He looks good, is in great shape."

■Lurking on Larkin: Dylan Larkin, the much-heralded 19-year-old, scored the opening goal in Friday's scrimmage, and in doing so impressed a guy who knows something about what it takes to be a hockey star. "He blew by me there after a face-off, scored that opening goal," Zetterberg said. "He has everything. He skates really well. He's strong for his age. When he gets his chances, he can put the puck away. It's going to be fun to see him here." Larkin, the 15th overall pick in the 2014 draft, is vying for a spot in Detroit. He won't make the roster unless he is going to play double-digit minutes, but it's a good sign that Larkin has been put between Tomas Jurco and Teemu Pulkkinen, as both are on the Detroit roster.

Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill has the winged wheel on his forehead as he goes over a projection on a screen while talking to his players before the start of their workout at training camp on Saturday in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez DFP

Red Wings goalies Jimmy Howard, left, and Petr Mrazek talk as they stretch before their respective teams faced off in a training camp scrimmage game on Saturday in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez DFP

Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith, right, works to push Luke Glendening out from the crease in front of goalie Jimmy Howard during their training camp scrimmage game on Saturday in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez DFP

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill signals that he wants the team's to go into a shootout instead of playing a thread period in their training camp scrimmage game on Saturday in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez DFP

Red Wings defensemen Jakub Kindl, top center, is all smiles as he is congratulated by his team after his shoot-out gaol won their training camp scrimmage game, 4-3, on Saturday in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez DFP

Red Wings fan Colin McKay, 16, of Owosso is all smiles as he gets a handshake from wings captain Henrik Zetterberg as he gets ready to step on the ice rink for training camp on Saturday in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez DFP

Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill talks to his first group of players before they hit the ice on the first day of training camp on Friday, September 18, 2015, in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill give instructions to his players on the ice on the first day training camp on Friday, September 18, 2015, in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

Detroit Red Wings Darren Helm is checked on thy Tomas Tatar, back, and Brad Richards top after his collision with Jerome Verrier on the first day training camp on Friday, September 18, 2015, in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

Detroit Red Wings Jerome Verrier is treated on the ice after his collision with Darren Helm during there first day of training camp on Friday, September 18, 2015, in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

Detroit Red Wings Jerome Verrier is taken off the ice on a stretcher after his collision with Darren Helm on the first day of training camp on Friday, September 18, 2015, in Traverse City. Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press